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As January comes to an end, we are still talking about Cervical Cancer, lots adult women are scared to go ahead with the Pap test. What is it, and why is it important?

well… here we go! The Pap test, or Pap smear, is so named in honor of its inventor, a Greek doctor called George (Georgios) Nicholas Papanicolaou (1883–1962).

His work focused on examining smears of cervical tissue — the cervix is the lower, narrow part of a woman’s uterus — to screen for potential warning signs related to gynecological health.

What is the Pap test for?

Through the Pap smear, cells are collected from a woman’s cervix for analysis. These are screened for any unusual results, as mutations might indicate the presence of the Human PapillomaVirus (HPV), which is a major risk factor for the development of cervical cancer.

HPV is a very common sexually transmitted infection, and it can be contracted via sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal) with someone who is already infected.

In many cases, HPV will be eliminated naturally by the body’s immune system within 1 or 2 years from infection, without causing any further health complications. In some cases, however, it can linger in the body, causing genital warts that can, in turn, lead to cervical cancer.

The Pap test is used to detect any changes that may occur at cellular level, and to determine whether or not they are indicative of precancerous lesions, which have a high probability of developing into cancerous tissue.

There are several types of treatment and intervention available for cervical cancer, but for these to be most effective, it is crucial to spot it as early as possible. This is why getting smear tests as advised is so important.

A Pap test can detect cells in their precancerous stage, which can allow the implementation of a preventive treatment. In addition to detecting precancerous lesions, the test can also help to spot any other issues that may appear in the cervical or vaginal area, such as infections.

How is a Pap test performed?

The Pap test is performed with the help of a special medical tool called a “speculum” which allows the practitioner to open up the vaginal canal, so that the cervix can be seen. A sample of cells is then collected from the cervix with a brush or a special tool called a “scraper.”

This sample-taking procedure is what women are usually most afraid of or embarrassed about. This is a natural reaction, given that a person you don’t know gets to insert a cold and uncomfortable instrument into your vagina and then scrape away at your cervix.

As hair-raising as that might sound, most accounts of undergoing the Pap smear speak of some discomfort, but definitely nothing like the horrors that some of us may imagine.

A slight discomfort that’s definitely worth it

We asked some of our female colleagues about their experiences on the ob-gyn exam table, the stories they shared spoke of bearing a little discomfort for a couple of minutes, and reaping much larger health benefits in the long run. One colleague said:

“I’ve been having Pap tests since my early 20s (by request), and I’m so glad I did. I had some abnormal cells that had to be removed. I fear that if I hadn’t had the test early, these cells could have become cancerous. In terms of discomfort, I don’t think it’s as uncomfortable as some women perceive it to be, and it’s over so quickly.”

Another colleague — while admitting that she “can’t say that [she] look[s] forward to having a Pap test” — certainly thought that the benefits “outweigh the short period of discomfort that they cause,” as the test can identify a problem even when you don’t experience any symptoms.

“It all boils down to staying as relaxed as possible, getting in a comfortable position, and taking a few deep breaths,” she said.

How often should I get a Pap smear?

Following current guidelines, women should start getting tested from the age of 21. Up until 2012, physicians used to recommend that women undergo smear tests once per year, but the current recommendations suggest a longer time gap between Pap tests.

After the age of 65, Pap tests should be done only if there are unusual gynecological symptoms and the physician calls for further investigations.

So ladies, don’t put it off any longer; Pap smears won’t be the most pleasant experience, but who cares — as long as they help us to go forward in good health and with confidence!

Inactivity and poor food choices aren’t the only things that can cause your weight to creep up. Our team has collected 5-morning habits that you should give up right now. Below are some bad habits to look out for and details on how they can cause weight gain and make it more difficult for you to achieve your dieting and exercise goals.

1) You don’t make your bed

It may sound strange, but it’s true. A study revealed that people who reported making their beds also reported better sleep overall. After all, healthy sleep is the optimal way toward a healthy weight.

2) You eat too little for breakfast

Researchers from Tel Aviv University insist that you should pamper yourself with a delicious meal in the mornings. In fact, a balanced breakfast that contains 600 calories of lean protein, carbohydrates, and some dessert will make it easier for you to follow your daily diet plan.

3) You get ready in the dark

Open the blinds or curtains immediately after waking up. One study found that blue light waves from the early morning sun boost your metabolism and help your body wake up. Even 20 to 30 minutes of daylight is enough to affect your body mass index.

4) You sleep too much

With too little sleep, your body is more likely to produce the stress-response hormone cortisol which increases your appetite. However, oversleeping might not be much better for you either. According to a recent study, sleeping more than 10 hours a night can lead to a higher body mass index. It’s no wonder that doctors recommend getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep every day.

5) You forget to weigh yourself

Studies proved that daily weighing is a successful technique that encourages weight loss. The best time to step on the scale is first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything. Since you lose water weight overnight, you’ll get the most accurate number.

People find self-meditation an easy, cheap, and quick solution to the problem. But the relief given in less time soon transforms into a lasting habit, and the body is vulnerable to many diseases.

Though paracetamol is such a readily available painkiller that normal people, as well as pregnant women, can take it easy. Due to not being harmful, this medication can be found easily without doctor prescription. We feel even a slight fever or pain, we take paracetamol. But if you had been doing it for years, be aware now.

Because taking paracetamol every time from minor pains or fever can be more harmful than benefits. Excessive use of it can damage many organs of the body. Let’s know how harmful paracetamol it is to the body if taken without the doctor’s advice.

Harmful to Pregnant Women and The Fetus

Paracetamol is generally considered safe for pregnant women, but it is not. If taken in the wrong dosage, it can decrease the whole development of the fetus. A pregnant woman should only take paracetamol with the right prescription and dosage advised by a Doctor.

Can Increase Asthma Symptoms

Only after having a slight fever, we start giving paracetamol to our child. But it has been proven from many types of research that giving paracetamol to children at the age of 6-7 can cause asthma symptoms to their body. The World Health Organization also believes that children should be given paracetamol only at 101.3 ° F after fever.

Liver damage

If you are suffering from jaundice or liver related problems, eating a paracetamol without consulting the doctor can lead to total liver damage. So take advice from your doctor before taking that medication.

Have you ever seen what’s written on the packet of medicine? Taking paracetamol in high concentration could damage the liver. Yes, doctors say that one person should not take more than 3 grams of paracetamol in a day and if you want to take more for some reason, it is necessary to ask your doctor first!

Because type 2 diabetes can lead to some serious health complications, it’s important to be aware of any diabetes warning signs and get tested for diabetes, if you have these symptoms.

1. Excessive/Frequent Urination

If you need to urinate frequently—particularly if you often have to get up at night to use the bathroom—it could be a symptom of diabetes. When you have diabetes, excess sugar (glucose) builds up in your blood. The kidneys have to work really hard to filter and absorb all that extra glucose.

2. Weight Loss

While obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, shedding pounds without even trying is a sign of the disease. Weight loss in such cases happens mainly for two reasons– excess water loss in the body due to frequent urination and the body is not able to absorb calories from the sugar in the blood.

3. Skin problems

Itchy skin, perhaps the result of dry skin or poor circulation, can often be a warning sign of diabetes, as are other skin conditions, such as acanthosis nigricans.

4. Recurring Infections

High blood sugar makes people highly susceptible to different types of infections. The most common sites of infection in diabetic patients are the skin and urinary tract. Diabetics suffer from frequent infections, and sometimes the infection recurs. This mainly happens due to a weakened immune system.

5. Blurry vision

Having distorted vision and seeing floaters or occasional flashes of light are a direct result of high blood sugar levels.

The good news is that this symptom is reversible once blood sugar levels are returned to normal or near normal. But let your blood sugar go unchecked for long periods and the glucose will cause permanent damage, possibly even blindness. And that’s not reversible.

For more info or questions kindly send a mail to admin@doctorsmagazineng.com

It’s time to end the mystery and confusion surrounding vagina pain and decode why your private parts are hurting. Women don’t necessarily know what to do about it or they feel ashamed, like “oh I should just live with it”, But you shouldn’t! We can find out what the cause is and treat it, just like any other medical condition.”

No more brushing aside symptoms like a sharp pain during sex, burning on your vulva, and other clues that something’s not right with this super sensitive body part. These are the most common causes of vaginal discomfort and the conditions are explained so you can get yourself treated, as well as which ones are more serious and require a doctor’s care.

Vaginal Dryness

Without enough vaginal lubrication, having sex can be uncomfortable, if not downright painful. Vaginal dryness during sex can also leave you with tiny tears or minor abrasions inside your vagina or at your vaginal opening, which in turn can cause lingering pain until they heal.

What’s the reason you might not be producing adequate levels of lubrication? It’s usually caused by low estrogen levels. If you’re on the Pill or another hormonal birth control method, this could be to blame; in some women, they reduce the amount of estrogen circulating in the body—and that leaves you high and dry down below.

Your Period

Cramps you know. But your period can set you up for a different kind of pain as well—vaginal pain and discomfort before, during, and after menstruation. As women approach their period, they retain a little bit more fluid in their muscles and really all over their bodies—that’s why women get more headaches around their period—and certainly some vaginal pain can happen then too.

This kind of pain should be relatively minor and nothing that would keep you from pursuing your usual activities. If it’s severe, however, let your doctor know.

Fibroids

A fibroid is a noncancerous growth in the uterus. A woman could have one or several, and depending on its size and placement, the growth may cause chronic pelvic pain that some describe as a constant feeling of pressure rather than stubby kind of pain.

Fibroids can also can trigger dull or sharp pain during sex, particularly if the fibroid is growing near the cervix or upper end of the vagina. During your period, the pain can be more pronounced as well, especially if the fibroid is growing in such a way that it puts pressure on the uterine lining.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue—the uterine lining—makes its way out of the uterus and adheres to other parts of the pelvic cavity, such as the fallopian tubes, bladder, and ovaries. The adhesions that form are hormonally sensitive. As your hormones rise and fall with your monthly cycle, they swell and bring on pelvic pain. The adhesions actually bleed when you have your period.

Sometimes the pain from endometriosis is minimal and only happens as menstruation hits, causing super bad cramps that may not ease with over-the-counter pain pills. For some women, however, it’s a chronic pain that limits their day-to-day activities.

Adenomyosis

Andenomyosis is similar to endometriosis, but the endometrial tissue grows in the muscular wall of the uterus, instead of outside the uterus. The result: pelvic pressure, heavy, crampy periods, and sometimes painful sex, she adds. The cause of andenomyosis isn’t known, but experts say that it tends to strike women toward the end of their childbearing years and goes away after menopause.

Your doctor can diagnose the condition and help you take steps to manage it. That may include recommending anti-inflammatory pain medicine or hormonal meds such as birth control pills. A hysterectomy may also be an option if the pain is severe and can’t be eased with medication.

Sexually transmitted diseases

The scary thing about STDs (and the reason you should get checked if you have unprotected sex with someone you aren’t totally sure is STD-free) is that they often don’t have noticeable symptoms, but one sign of many STDs is pain. That can be more of a burning, inflamed kind of pain if you have genital herpes, a sexually transmitted virus that causes breakouts of lesions on or around your vagina. Trichomoniasis, an STD caused by a parasite, may lead to redness and soreness of the genitals.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea, two bacterial STDs, can both trigger pelvic or lower abdominal pain as well as a burning sensation during urination. If left untreated, either could lead to a much more serious infection called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which happens when the bacteria make their way to the uterus and other parts of the upper reproductive tract. Signs include pelvic pain and pain during sex. PID is major; it can lead to infertility if not caught in time.

If your down-below pain sounds similar to the kind of pain these STDs can cause, let your ob-gyn know and tell her you want to get tested. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics, trichomoniasis is treated with meds as well, and herpes breakouts can be minimized and managed with antiviral medication.

Vulvodynia

If your vulva feels chronically sore or swollen—so much so that it hurts to be touched and even sitting down for long periods makes the pain worse—a condition called vulvodynia may be to blame. It’s when pain fibers have been activated in the vulva, and just touching the outside of the vulva can cause a lot of pain.

Experts don’t know the exact cause of vulvodynia, but it may be brought on by nerve injury, allergies to chemicals, hormonal changes, medication, or an abnormal response to an infection or trauma. Inserting a tampon can be crazy painful, and sex almost impossible because of the severity of the pain, which is often described as a burning sensation. It’s not something many people are familiar with, but it is more common than you’d think.

Many women who experience symptoms don’t talk to their doctors about it, often because they’re embarrassed or they fear the pain will be dismissed as psychological. But it is a real physical condition, and getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing the pain.

Good blood circulation is essential for good health. Your blood helps transport nutrients and oxygen to every part of your body. Any problem with your circulatory system can lead to various types of health problems. If untreated, it can cause serious damage to your brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and other vital organs.

You may have poor blood circulation for many reasons, including the most common atherosclerosis, or “hard of arteries”, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Poor blood circulation means that parts of the body, especially your hands and feet, receive an insufficient amount of blood. Plaque buildup in your arteries and other factors can slow down blood flow and make it more difficult to make blood desired.

Here are 5 the prominent signs of poor Blood Circulation:

1. Cold hands and feet

Proper blood flow helps in maintaining a healthy body temperature. When blood flow is disrupted, then the body cannot maintain its normal temperature, which results in cold hands and feet.

2. Swollen Feet

Due to lack of blood flow, kidneys are unable to complete the process of keeping fluid in blood vessels where it should be. This allows for extracting fluid from the adjacent tissues and gravity pulls the liquid towards feet. In extreme cases, bad circulation can also cause foot ulcers.

3. Impaired Cognitive Function

Bad blood flow can also affect the functioning of your brain, due to which memory loss, difficulty concentrating and focusing, less attention can be caused. Your brain requires a continuous flow of blood to function properly.

4. Regular Fatigues

Your muscles require enough blood to work properly and to prevent muscle fatigue. Slow blood flow around your body affects your energy level and you feel tired as hard as your heart has to work hard to pump blood continuously.

5. Discolored Skin

You can see that you also have yellow or pale skin if your tissues do not get enough blood. It’s not just your feet or hands that can change a different color. Doctors say – poor blood circulation can affect your nose, lips, ears and even the nipples.

The funeral service, which started at 10 a.m., had in attendance numerous friends and family members of the actress, who is also a pastor of the Fresh Oil Ministry International Church, Lagos.

The deceased, Raymond Ekwu, died from complications associated with sickle cell anaemia on August 23.

Eucharia married Charles Ekwu in 2000 and the marriage lasted till 2006 before trouble set in. Raymond was the only product of the marriage, which ended in a messy divorce.

She had dragged her ex-husband to court and slammed him with a N100 million lawsuit in 2010. The monetary demand, according to Eucharia, was on the grounds of ‘abandonment, irresponsibility and assault.

The National Association of Resident Doctors on Thursday refused to call off its strike despite holding a 13-hour meeting with representatives of the Federal Government.

The meeting, which held at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, ended in the early hours of Thursday, had in attendance the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige; the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; and the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Labour, the strike would continue until at least Friday when the doctors are expected to meet to review the offer by the government on their demands including payment of salary arrears owed.
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”The meeting agreed that NARD national officers will present the outcome of the re-negotiated Memorandum of Terms of settlement to an emergency meeting of its members by Friday September 8, 2017 with a view to suspending the strike once there is evidence of payment of the mandate as presented to the meeting, to the affected institutions,” the statement noted.

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has declared the ongoing strike by members of the National Association of Resident Doctor illegal.

The medical council warned that any doctor who participated in the industrial action might repeat his or her internship without remuneration.

This was contained in a statement by the MDCN entitled, “Professional Ethics for House Officers/Interns,” issued on Monday by its Acting Registrar and Chief Executive, Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi.

The body advised Chief Medical Directors, Medical Directors and Medical Superintendents in various teaching hospitals to ensure that all resident doctors under their watch abide by all regulations guiding their internship.

“The MDCN regulates medical and dental practice in Nigeria as stipulated by the provisions of the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act Cap M8 LFN 2004 which states that during internship; doctors and dentists are required to undertake 12 weeks of uninterrupted postings in Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Paediatrics and other relevant specialties for dentistry.

“Any interruption for any reason, including embarking on strike, during any of the postings, will not be condoned and should be reported immediately to the Chief Medical Director, Medical Director or Medical Superintendent of the internship training institution.

“Embarking on strike by interns will lead to repeating of the posting(s) without remuneration. Interns are therefore advised to avoid participation in activities like industrial actions that could lead to interruption in their postings.

“A supervising doctor who fails in his duties in this regard is liable to proceedings being commenced against him at the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal if his misdeed in the matter is brought to the notice of the council,” the MDCN stated.

However, resident doctors at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State and many tertiary hospitals across the country joined the nationwide strike called by their parent body, the National Association of Resident Doctors.

The doctors started an indefinite strike on Monday over the alleged failure of the Federal Government to meet demands bordering on their welfare.

According to the NARD President, Dr. John Onyebuze, resident doctors’ services would remain withdrawn until their demands, which includes their immediate enrolment under the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System and payment of all salary shortfalls and slash were paid.

Onyebueze, who said they could no longer continue to bear delays and cuts in their salaries, also accused the federal and state governments of paying lip service to the welfare of doctors across the country.

The association had demanded also the payment of its member’s salary shortfalls in 2016 and January to May, 2017, in addition to the inclusion and enrolment of resident doctors under the National Pension Scheme and the appropriate placement of doctors in the civil service system.

Onyebuze stated, “Rising from our NEC meeting, NARD has resolved to reject the promissory offer from government, and proceed on total and indefinite strike until all items in its demand list for the industrial action are resolved by government.”

Our correspondents gathered that resident doctors rejected the offers made by the Federal Government to forestall the strike after it had held a series of meetings with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige and the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, over unresolved issues.

The ARD President, UBTH branch, Dr. Eustace Oseghale, told one of our correspondents that over 300 members of the association downed tools on Monday.

“Yes we have. The strike is a national directive. We are withdrawing services until our demands are met,” Oseghale said.

He said that though the action would take its toll on the patients in spite of available consultants, a resolution of the issues would be in the interest of the patients.

“That is why we have been in touch with government for some time. Some of the demands even span over a year. In the long run, it will be better for the patients.

“We have consultants on ground providing some services. But their number is not enough to provide all the services. We urge them (patients) to bear with us,” Oseghale added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Prof. Chris Bode, has said the health facility will keep the hospital running in spite of the industrial action.

Bode said, “Most of the doctors are off duty because of the Sallah holiday. This is because we record low turnout of patients during festivities. The few patients are being taken care of by consultants. We will address the public today after appraising the situation.”

This is why you should never rely on the pull-out method for safe birth control.

Finally, we are bringing you very public answers to some of your most private questions. When sexual and vaginal health concerns arise, we want to ensure you have the answers you need to feel at ease.

Q: It’s not possible to get pregnant from pre-ejaculate is it?

A: The answer to that question is definitely yes. Pre-cum does have sperm in it, so yes. It may not have the full amount of what you may see in a full ejaculation amount of fluid, but it does have semen.

That’s why it’s so important for people to understand that, and that’s why the pullout method is not 100%, and it’s not going to guarantee that you’re not going to get pregnant with the withdrawal method.

It’s really important for women and their partners understand that there are millions of sperm in pre-cum. There is only way that you can say, “Oh, I’m not going to get pregnant,” and that is if you don’t have sex or you properly use a condom or other safe and proper methods of birth control.